Vans' retro-themed Nintendo collection goes on sale tomorrow

Nintendo isn’t the gaming powerhouse it once was. The company recorded consecutive losses from 2012 up until 2014, and sales of the Wii U and 3DS have been in decline recently.

The Japanese firm is pinning its hopes on next year’s NX console, and the new Legend of Zelda game, being a success. But it’s also looking at other money-generating avenues, such as mobile games, movies, and licensing deals, which president Tatsumi Kimishima said was key to growing the company.

Nintendo’s latest licensing venture is a partnership with Vans, the manufacturer famed for its skateboarding shoes, to produce a range of retro-themed products.

The Vans X Nintendo Classic footwear line, which briefly appeared on Euro sneaker store 43 Einhalb last month before being pulled, will be available from tomorrow. There will be 13 different styles, including variations of the Authentic, the Classic Slip-On and the Sk8-Hi, Old Skool, and Sk8-Hi Slim. Most of the shoes will be available in unisex sizes, and the range is only expected to be on sale for a short period of time

The shoes will feature prints from games such as Super Mario Bros., Duck Hunt, The Legend of Zelda, and Donkey Kong. There’ll also be images inspired by the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), the company’s first ever console.

The footwear, which also come in children’s sizes, will feature logos, quotes from famous characters (“It’s Dangerous to go Alone! Take This”), and images on the tongues and soles.

In addition to the shoes, the collaboration will produce other Nintendo goodies, such as t-shirts, tank-tops, backpacks, flip-flops, bags, socks, and hats.

Prices for the shoes are expected to range from $37 to $70. They will be available on the Vans website and from select retailers in various countries.